Run it, Work it, Do it

So if you know me, you know that I absolutely despise sports and I am probably the least athletic person ever. But about two months ago, I decided to go on a fitness journey to get toned up. My goals are to be able to do at least one pull up, run a 5k without stopping, and gain enough strength to change a tire on my own. And maybe if it results in some abs, I won't complain. 

Running has always appealed to me for some reason. I knew that if I became a runner, I would feel like I had accomplished something. But I was that kid in school that when that dreaded day of P.E. came where everyone had to run a timed mile, I was within the last 3 or 4 kids to make it across the line. I became a cheerleader in high school, yet my running abilities never became better despite being forced to run laps. 

I felt weak. I felt like a failure. I would run on a treadmill when I started college but couldn't keep up the pace for very long. Now I realize I have been approaching it wrong all along. About six weeks ago, I started the couch to 5k program. I downloaded the app that tells me when to run and when to walk. The first week was so easy. but the second week, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to finish. The other day I finished week 6 day 3 with a bang. I really didn't think I could do it, but I ran for twenty-two minutes straight! Not only that, but I felt fine afterwards, well more like ecstatic. 

To some of you, this probably doesn't seem like a challenge. But I know plenty of people that would love to be fit enough to even run a mile. I'm very proud of myself for sticking with this for as long as I have. Two more weeks and I will be done with the C25K and then I can work on speeding my miles up. 

Think about something you want to accomplish. It could be doing a pull-up or it could be baking a cake from scratch without burning the house down. Challenge yourself. Go do something. 

Where is our home, sweet home?

Stephen and I have been looking at houses for almost a month now. It has been a really fun process so far. But it is super easy to get our hopes up about something we see on the internet for sale and once we get there it looks terrible. We fell in love with a house a couple of weeks ago but it needs a lot of work and will be pushing our budget. Call me spoiled but I really don’t want to live on ramen noodles for the next ten years. 

But yesterday we finally made it to the bank after weeks of avoiding it. We had to make sure we could even afford a house. And sure enough we were approved which was super exciting. We rescheduled a house viewing so we could look at it sooner. It was in a great location with an amazing price. And adorable. 

We arrived way before we were able to go in so we could look around and make sure the outside was functional. We were there about 45 minutes before we could even go in so my excitement was peaking. As soon as our buyers agent showed up and opened the door for us, I fell in love with the house. All of the floors were hardwood, it had three bedrooms, and a cute kitchen. It was exactly what we were looking for. 

Bad news bears, though. Someone had already made an offer on it and was in the process of negotiating with the seller. Our buyers agent told us there was still a chance to get it though if we put our offer in quickly and demanded an answer by 9am the next day. So we filled out the papers for our offer and we were sure it would blow the other offer out of the water. All we had to do was wait until the morning to find out what the verdict was. 

Unfortunately the buyer decided to take the negotiated price, but there is still a sliver of hope if she can’t afford it. The buyer has until wednesday to go to the bank and get approved for a loan. Amidst praying for the woman’s financing to fall through, I realized it didn’t feel right to pray for someone else’s misfortune so we could have something we wanted. But at the same time the house is absolutely perfect for us. It is really tough for my control-freak self to let it go, but I know that it is in God’s court now.